Washington, DC The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) today joined seven other prominent business associations in calling on President Obama to express to world leaders at the G20 Summit in London the United States' commitment to international engagement in the global economy. NFTC President Bill Reinsch released the following statement:

"The President has a major opportunity this week to send a very clear message to the G20 that the United States is committed to an open, rules-based trading system and policies that promote the flow of commerce, investment and economic growth worldwide.

"The eyes of the world are on the United States, and the signals we send with regard to trade and investment have a ripple effect around the globe.

"Particularly in this time of economic crisis, it is critical for the United States to exert leadership on the world stage by encouraging all nations to reject protectionism and measures that would further restrict the free flow of capital and investment, and in turn, stifle economic growth.

"U.S. and global economic recovery are intertwined, and we urge the President to seize this moment to set an example for the rest of the world."

Advancing Global Commerce for Over 90 Years -The National Foreign Trade Council (www.nftc.org) is a leading business organization advocating an open, rules-based global trading system. Founded in 1914 by a broad-based group of American companies, the NFTC now serves hundreds of member companies through its offices in Washington and New York.